FORGIVENESS: A MUST The First Thing Said to the Church
C. Doug Blair, 2012
John 20: 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (NIV) It is my submission that the Church was birthed in this room of prayer when 1
the disciples saw the risen Lord and received the communication of the Holy Spirit. Others suggest that it was on the Day of Pentecost when the Spirit came in powerful manifestation following Peter's signal sermon (Acts 2). In the above verses I note that the very first statement after Jesus breathed upon His friends concerned forgiving others. Indeed it is at the heart of every Gospel message. Divinity has provided the remedy for the burden and consequence of sin. We are to preach this message. We are to exemplify it. Bitterness and pettiness will only mar the testimony and throw self-imposed chains of handicap around the follower of Christ. To forgive is to run against the grain of this insecure society. It is shocking and shaming when observed in its innocent simplicity. The observer may be convinced that the God of this ethic does offer the means of release and a fresh start. In this fashion the Christian witness does cause the remission of sins (KJV). If you are in a struggle of hurt and resentment, take it to prayer and expect the supernatural provision of liberty and love.
The Bus Fare
Years ago I thoroughly enjoyed reading "The Hiding Place" and "Tramp for the Lord", books written by Corrie ten Boom (1892-1983) and telling of her itinerant life both during and after the Second World War. Her family of clock-makers in Holland were arrested by the Nazis for harbouring Jewish people in their home. In the camp Corrie proved a real blessing to the women around her, conducting Bible studies and talking through problems. Her sister became ill and was denied crucial medical care. Corrie remembers discovering her dead body stacked with others like so much cord-wood. In the closing days of the war Corrie miraculously escaped one final truckload of prisoners destined for the gas ovens. In the post-war years she became convinced that her major purpose was to 2
assist in establishing forgiveness, trust and cooperation between the ravaged peoples of Europe. Upon simple invitations she traveled extensively to tell her story in small community halls, hospitals and churches. Jesus had been her hiding place. Arrangements always seemed to be last-minute and Corrie would jokingly tell friends that "God never provided the bus fare until she was about ready to take the trip." How often have I thought of this quaint saying when considering an imminent trial, challenge or difficulty. Corrie's experience and wisdom have helped. The story is also told of her visit to a crippled patient in a hospital ward. Anger and self-pity consumed the man. He would hear none of her Jesus. Undeterred, Corrie reached into her purse and produced a nearly completed work of needlepoint. She held the underside of the piece toward the man, all twisted, knotted and seemingly messy. "My friend, this must be your point of view on your life. But remember two things: 1) It is unfinished and 2) You do not have God's point of view on the project." Corrie then turned the needlepoint over to reveal a beautiful still-life image. Another incident involved the aftermath of a town-hall meeting when she was approached by a man whom she recognized as one of the most senior and brutal of guards at the prison camp. Smiling awkwardly, he advised that he had turned his life over to Christ and had repented of all the evil done during the war. Could she find it in her heart to forgive him? Corrie's thoughts raced over the next few seconds. She saw the camp. The young women in despair. The indignities. The seemingly endless menial labour. Her sister's dead body. The deadly truck departures. In an unspoken prayer she confessed that she did not have the grace to forgive. Would God provide it. A sensation of warmth passed through her right arm and it was extended by reflex for the handshake. Both individuals were then teary-eyed and the kiss on the cheek and the embrace were soon accomplished. No longer enemies. But family. Here again was the bus fare.
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Settle the Account
A work of wickedness I wrought In yesterday’s weak hour. Oh Lord, I thought the blood had bought My life from sin’s rank power! The test had come quite suddenly, When I was tired and strained From toil of day and working-place And thoughts of you had waned. A bitter word cut to my heart And ruffled up my pride; Retorting with a hateful tongue, I grieved Christ crucified. I have no peace within my soul. Can such a one be saved? I have to let the flesh-fire go, For Lord, ‘tis you I crave. Yes, something festers deep within, The pain of sin concealed. The foul infection of my wrong Must now be lanced and healed. I thought that life could just go on, And time would mend the wrong; But in my quiet hours alone The guilt is just prolonged. And so, I come to you in prayer, To settle these arrears. To find your sweet forgiveness there, But first, the salt and tears… Then with a sense of grace renewed, 4
The Spirit’s job well done. I’ll seek the brother once aggrieved, And magnify your Son. Yes, to the one whom Satan used, So each misunderstood, I will repair and make amends And heal the hurt with good. I sense from this experience Of sin, and of reunion, The blessings of confession’s work To maintain sweet communion. I know not if that sin had meant A threat to my salvation. I only know your smile removed Was hellish condemnation! And this must be an aspect of One’s walking in the Spirit. To sense each act that grieves you, Lord, Then instantly to clear it. ‘Tis not as if I have to sin A little more each day. In fact, you bring more antidote Directly, as I pray. But prayer can only please you, Lord, If bathed in Jesus’ blood. And thus, the crimson power proves My ever-cleansing flood.
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The Second Cheek
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said that if a man were to strike you on the cheek you were supposed to turn to him the other cheek and to offer no retaliation. It is clear that the beginning and ending of our Lord’s ministry were marked with the imperative of forgiveness (see Matthew 5: 39 and John 20: 23). Somewhere I heard this comment: ‘If you refuse to turn the other cheek; if instead you opt to strike back, the cheek receiving the second blow will be Christ’s.’ Simply wait, pray, calm down, draw upon the Holy Spirit. Hasty responses always prove to be wrong. There is a friend to be gained here, a new family member.
Robert Moffat
Gang awa frae tha Glen Tae a fearsome place; Where tha darkened souls Hae na gleemps o’grace. Where tha work must fit A new tongue and race. Gang awa frae tha Glen for a wheel. “Tis for certs He has ca’d Ye, and ye must roon; Tae a land o’ plagues And o’ blastin’ sun, Where tha rule o’ richt Hae just sceerce begun. 6
Gang awa frae tha Glen, Robbie, chile. There be muckle tae ken O’ tha people’s need; O’ tha crops that thrive, O’ tha life they lead; O’ tha daily thirst; O’ their warfare, greed. Gang awa frae tha Glen, and be wise. Tho’ tha ship be worsted, Tho’ tha trail be long, Tho’ tha beasts be awful, Ye’ll arrive anon; And commence tae cant Tha sweet Gospel song. Gang awa frae tha Glen, in His love. And ye’ll spot tha dee When it starts tae click. As they bring their young, And they bring their sick; For o’ Jesus’ kind They ken nae sic lik.. Gang awa frae tha Glen, tae be used. An’ it’s nae sa muckle That their needs ye know, Whuch’ll fan tha flame, Cause your strenth tae grow; But tha confeedence “Tis your Laird says, “Go!” Gang awa frae tha Glen, ‘til you’re gone. (Robert Moffat, Pioneer Missionary to South-west Africa) Note: The story is told of the early day in the mission of Moffat when his camp was confronted by a prominent chieftain. The man demanded to know the purpose of the missionary's visit and the authority who sent him.
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Through an interpreter, Moffat advised that he represented the greatest of all Chiefs and that he was bringing news and help for the best in life. The native said that he would kill Moffat and his chief. The territory was under his absolute control. He brandished a menacing spear. His retinue stood at the ready. Calmly Moffat loosened the breast of his jacket. Striding to within inches of the man's face, he pointed to his own heart and said, "My Chief lives here. If you intend murder, do it now, for I will not be held back from my purpose." The other's jaw dropped. His spear hand faltered. His bluff had been called. The two would soon become fast friends.
All
"...who forgiveth all thine iniquities." Over ninety years ago Mark Guy Pearse released an exceptional book of exposition of Psalm 103 entitled "Praise: Meditations in the 103rd Psalm" Listen to the following: "Once when I was away among mountains, the guide said to me: "There is a wonderful echo here if you can but wake it up. Stand here with your back to this rock, and turn yourself towards that point, and now shout." I shouted. And from a hundred hollow places came the wonderful responses- far away behind me I heard it rolling in the caves and up amongst the hills; it went ringing across the lake to left of me and right of me; from away at the end of the lake it came back to me, and then away, away; whilst faint echoes of the echoes lingered in the air. Ah, such an echo is there in the mount of the Lord if we can but wake it up. Set thy foot firm upon the promises of our God. Set thine eye upon the Crucified. Let all thy soul go forth in deepest love to Him who loved thee. 8
And now wake up the music that sleeps on every side- "Who forgiveth all thine iniquities." All. Hark! I hear the music of it ringing away behind me, away over the chilhood, over the youth, over the years that are gone- All thine iniquities!...O, music as of heaven, I hear it ringing away to right of me and left of me, away in the dark and gloomy places of the life, away as far as all the influence of my life has gone, sweep the glad tidings- All thine iniquities! Try it again. Once more with the faith set firmly in the promises of our God, and resting against the rock of His truth, lift thine eye to the Crucified and let thine heart adore Him. Hear it once again- "Who forgiveth ALL thine iniquities." O, blessed strains, listen! I hear it away, away for ever and for evermore, gone on to find kindred melodies in heaven itself." Note: It must be this complete to accomplish redemption. With just one sin the Accuser could rob us of our assurance and drag us down. But thankfully "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Let this echo also forever. No Condemnation.
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Something Really Stupid for Love
Recently in a restaurant I heard on the radio a song entitled “The Picture” by Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow. It concerned the break-up of lovers and ‘the picture” put away in regret. It has touched my heart on earlier occasions. This one-time lawyer has certainly seen a bellyful of marriage break-ups. As the client would relate the history, it became apparent that there had been some very small beginnings. Some silly expenditure without consultation. Some household chore never shared. Some flirtation at a party. Some puckish experiment with drugs. Some undermining of needful discipline with a child. Then came the accusations, the raised voices, the counter-thrusts, the intentional shaming before others, the person at work who seemed so much more understanding, the adultery, the eartquake of disappointment, the refusal to forgive. Did you hear that? I said the "refusal to forgive". But this just isn't fair. I shouldn't have to go through this. I deserve better. I have already met her half-way! I have observed this with clients and with neighbours. The insidious crescendo of unforgiveness. I do remember one signal time in my office with a farmer who was obviously heart-broken, but starting to dig in his heels. I asked him to recall pleasant earlier times in the romance. I acknowledged that he had by then done his fair share. But was he prepared now to do the really stupid thing for love? Would he go shockingly beyond half-way in the dwindling days with his wife? He ultimately agreed. The woman was stunned by his unquenchable grace. (Romans 12: 20, 21). The marriage rekindled. The word got round the legal community, "That Blair has taken up marriage counseling at the risk of his business! His new religious kick is gonna cost him." 10
Perhaps another hurting spouse will read this and flex just a little more hope and forgiveness, doing 'something really stupid' for love.
The Litmus Test
(Taken from Like Christ by Andrew Murray) It is thus that thou canst bless the world. It is as the forgiving One that Jesus conquers His enemies, and binds His friends to Himself. It is as the forgiving One that Jesus has set up His kingdom and continually extends it. It is through the same forgiving love, not only preached but shown in the life of His disciples, that the Church will, convince the world of God’s love. If the world see men and women loving and forgiving as Jesus did, it will be compelled to confess that God is with them of a truth. And if it still appear too hard and too high, remember that this will only be as long as we consult the natural heart. A sinful nature has no taste for this joy, and never can attain it. But in union with Christ we can do it: He who abides in Him walks even as He walked. If you have surrendered yourself to follow Christ in everything, then He will by His Holy Spirit enable you to do this too. Ere ever you come into temptation, accustom yourself to fix your gaze on Jesus, in the heavenly beauty of His forgiving love as your example: "Beholding the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same image, from glory to glory." Every time you pray or thank God for forgiveness, make the vow that to the glory of His name you will manifest the same forgiving love to all around you. Before ever there is a question of forgiveness of others, let your heart be filled with love to Christ, love to the brethren, and love to enemies: a heart full of love finds it blessed to forgive. Let, in each little circumstance of daily life when the temptation not to forgive might arise, the opportunity be joyfully welcomed to show how truly you live in God’s forgiving love, how glad you are to let its beautiful light shine through you on others, and how blessed a privilege you feel it to be thus too to bear the image of your beloved Lord.
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To forgive like Thee, blessed Son of God! I take this as the law of my life. Thou who hast given the command, givest also the power. Thou who hadst love enough to forgive me, wilt also fill me with love and teach me to forgive others. Thou who didst give me the first blessing, in the joy of having my sins forgiven, wilt surely give me the second blessing, the deeper joy of forgiving others as Thou hast forgiven me. Oh, fill me to this end with faith in the power of Thy love in me, to make me like Thyself, to enable me to forgive the seventy times seven, and so to love and bless all around me. O my Jesus! Thy example is my law: I must be like Thee. And Thy example is my gospel too. I can be as Thou art. Thou art at once my Law and my Life. What Thou demandest of me by Thy example, Thou workest in me by Thy life. I shall forgive like Thee.
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